13 Ways to Get Your Summer Thrills in Tasmania
Make the most of the longer days this summer with adrenaline-fueled adventures and nature-rich experiences, right on your doorstep.
What’s On In Hobart & Around The Island- January 2026
by James Marten
January
5 Happy New year, welcome to 2026! It’s the last day of Sebastian Galloway’s solo exhibition of paintings at Handmark Gallery. Team it with a coffee and wander through Battery Point.
7 Unlock the mysteries of The Secret Garden, Exitleft‘s signature presentation at the Playhouse Theatre this Summer. Various dates, including 2pm today, best for 6+.
8 Start the year by digging into your past with Family History Thursday at Huonville Library today from 2:30pm.
9 Shakespearean comedy Much Ado About Nothing featuring Tassie actor Katie Robertson (Five Bedrooms), opens in the Tasmanian Botanic Gardens tonight. Wed- Sat, 7:30pm, til 6 Feb.
10 Head to Bellerive Beach for Tassie’s biggest beach party! 11am- 7pm with lots on for the kids and the grown up kids like circus, food vans, sandcastle comp and live music.
11 It’s Cadbury Marathon day! Lace up the runners or cheer on the others. And it’s day two of the free tennis watching and kids zone at the Hobart International Qualifying Weekend.
12 The Hobart International main draw kicks off today, until 17 Jan. Catch some of the world’s best female tennis players – Mertens, Raducanu and more! Alongside music, food, drinks and vibes.
13 Yirrmal brings his powerful voice to Tasmania once again. He’s got a Cygnet Folk Festival sideshow today at Rosny Farm, with Jethro Pickett, 7pm.
14 SHIVER, Tasmania’s only real ice rink, is back at MyState Bank Arena til the 18th. They also have sensory sessions, adults only after dark and teen sessions with a live DJ.
15 Kids aged 7-12 might enjoy a Japanese calligraphy workshop with Nerikiri (Japanese confectionery!). 10:30am-1:30pm, Sakura Japanese Culture Centre.
16 Grab a mate, some dollarbucks and your dancing shoes and hit Street Eats Franko tonight at Franklin Square for multicultural fare and live music.
17 Take a tour of the Brightside Farm Sanctuary in Cradoc and meet their resident rescued animals. Book via eventbrite. Not too far away it’s also the Willie Smith’s Artisan Market.
18 Sling your market bag over your shoulder and get some fresh local produce from the Farmgate Market today. Then head to Willi G’s album launch for Clean Air at the Fern Tree Tavern from 2pm.
19 Learn to dance West Coast Swing in six weeks at the Mount Stuart Hall, 8pm- 10pm, starting tonight.
20 Join Exhibition Curator Jane Stewart for a guided tour of The Histori of Bees exhibition at the State Library and Archives of Tasmania, 11am-12pm.
21 There’s a community screening of Takayna – The Heart of Lutruwita at Tarremah School in Huntingfield tonight, 6pm-8pm.
22 Kingborough residents aged 12-19 are invited to a free fishing clinic at Kingston Beach Jetty. Gear provided, must book, 10:30am- 11:30am.
23 Get your game on with the Game On board game meet up at Rosny Library today from 5pm-7pm. Also FEE FI FO FUM by Aleks Crossan opens at SOCIAL Gallery, until 1 Feb.
24 Feast on food, drink, entertainment and community at Tasman Feast at Nubeena Football Club, 4pm- 10pm.
25 Run wild and explore the sculptures and the views at the Art Farm in Birchs Bay. Or enjoy BBL|14:It Was Our Time at TMAG until 2 March.
26 Enjoy a public holiday today, it’s Australia Day.
27 It’s bloobs time! Pick your own blueberries at one of many local farms, like Old Beach Berries, open today with various timeslots via humanitix.
28 Got a budding Hurricane? Send them to one of the Cricket Hub’s batting and bowling masterclasses this week. thecrickethub.com.au
30 It’s Glenorchy Generations Connect Fun Day at the Netball and Sports Centre in New Town. Then party (almost) all night at the Summer Latin Party, 9pm-3am, Observatory Bar.
31 Irish twins The Ocelots bring their indie-folk sound with open-tuned guitar, clawhammer banjo and harmonica and harmonies to the Moonah Arts Centre today, 7pm.
February
1 The Estia Greek Street Festival all weekend. Saturday is the Greek Twilight Market, 3pm-9pm, and Traditional Greek Celebration on Sunday 11am-4pm, The Greek Club, North Hobart.
3 Escape on the water with a three day / two night sail and walk adventure on the Lady Nelson Tall Ship, exploring the southeastern coast. For all skill levels.
4 Clarence Council Youth Services are hosting a back to school party today in Rokeby. With outdoor lawn games, a BBQ, snacks, indoor sports and more. 10am-2pm.
5 The Mirror | Gravity & Other Myths is a circus and dance performance bridging the physician and digital worlds, on for the next few days at the Theatre Royal.
6 Tassie abstract painter Megan Walch’s show Palingenesis at Bett Gallery opens today. Wildwood by Robyn Malcolm opens at Lady Franklin Gallery at 6pm tonight.
7 It’s Royal Hobart Regatta Day! Also, Fashion Thrift Society comes to Hobart’s old K&D site today, 10am-3pm.
8 Enjoy a selection of 250 different wines from boutique and larger producers at the Tasmanian Wine Festival, today (and the 7th) at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens.
SPOTLIGHT ON…
9-11 January
Cygnet Folk Festival is back with three days of music, art, craft, storytelling, markets, kids running wild, dancing, food and community across various venues, some ticketed and some free. Look out for some of the artists’ side shows around the state too!
24 January
The Wayfarer Craybake celebrates the deep south’s proud cray fishing community with a full day of food and wine at River Run Lodge in Strathblane. Enjoy the best of Tasmania’s local seafood, wine, and live entertainment in a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. Feast on fresh cray straight from the pots. Book ahead.
24 January
One of the longest running regattas in the world, the Sandy Bay Regatta started in 1848 and this year it once again takes over Long Beach Reserve today with exhibition races, water activities to try, roving entertainers, face painting, music and food. www.sandybayregatta.com.au
31 January
Tasmine Summer Festival is a pop culture cosplay festival celebrating anime, video games, cosplay, art, events and more at the Kingborough Community Hub today from 10am-9pm. There will be a vendor’s hall for shoppers (or browsers), competitions and games and whilst much is free to enjoy, some bits do need a ticket.
AROUND THE ISLAND
January
5 Head along to Fitness in the Park at Richmond, a free fitness program for the whole community. Meet at 9:30am in the Richmond Village Green carpark.
7 Gather your friends for an afternoon of trackside fun at the Devonport Cup. Enjoy Fashions on the Field, gourmet food vans and live entertainment. Oh, and horse racing.
8 Become a friend of Carr Villa Flora Reserve in Launceston and preserve your local bush patch at today’s working bee from 1pm-3pm.
9 Gather your friends for an afternoon of trackside fun at the Devonport Cup. Enjoy Fashions on the Field, gourmet food vans and live entertainment. Oh, and horse racing.
10 Smash those new year’s goals with a five kilometre Parkrun. Held all over Australia each Saturday morning, find one near you at parkrun.com.au.
11 Meet the artists behind the Celtic-inspired textile characters Faerie Folk from the Enchanted Garden, Penny Halton-Hulbert and Oliver Patch, Harmony on High Street, Campbell Town, 2:30pm.
12 Enjoy a screening of the Secret of the Cardboard Rocket at the Launceston Planetarium today, 1pm, book via Eventbrite. Suitable for young children.
13 Head to QVMAG today to create your own pet spider inspired by the Sam Jinks spider commission work, with local artist Moo, at the Art Gallery, Royal Park. 10:30am- 12pm. Tix $7.50.
14 The lavender is in bloom at Bridestowe Estate at Nabowla, catch the stunning rows of purple for the rest of the month. Book a tour, or enjoy a lavender-inspired treat at Woodcroft Cafe.
15 Inspired by QVMAG’s BUGS exhibition, the Street Bugs drawing workshop will have kids creating posters for the upcoming Launceston Street Art Festival. 10:30-11:30am Museum at Inveresk.
16 Catch Sarah Segal-Lazar performing tonight from 6pm at the Bass Strait Maritime Centre in Devonport. She’s Folk Canada’s 2024 Recording Artist of the Year nominee and acclaimed sea shanty chanteuse.
17 Tasmania poets and irreverent storytellers Pete Hay and Bert Spinks (one of our past cover people!) are performing ‘A Tasmanian Map’ at Bruny Island Wild today. 6pm, $20 on the door.
18 Music in the Park stars The Tassie Tenor today, 12:30-2:30pm at the City Park Rotunda, different acts on Sundays til 22 Feb. At Triabunna, witness the jaw-dropping Cliff Jumping World Series.
20 Circular Head Youth are taking the kids to Kart Magic in Latrobe today – $25 pp with the bus leaving Circular Head Council, Smithton, at 10am. For ages 12-18, book via Humanitix.
21 Join breathwork facilitator Mon Catterall for an immersive breathwork experience designed for you to walk in and float out. 1:30pm-2:30pm, St.Lukes Launceston. For 12+.
22 Catch Shaun Kirk live at the Royal Oak Hotel in Launceston tonight
23 Compete in a range of sports at the George Town Community Sports Gala for your chosen charity. Enter your team, select a sport, dress up and have fun!
24 The Foo Fighters are playing Launnie today, meanwhile, enjoy Day on the Duck 2026 with live music, food, and the Duck Race – buy a duck, win cash! 12pm-7pm, West Esplanade, Smithton.
25 Love goats? The annual GoatFest is on today in Longford, celebrating everything about goats with goats to pat, stalls with goat products and art and craft activities.
26 It’s Australia Day today, so enjoy a public holiday. It’s also the last day of The Brothers Gruchy exhibition at the Devonport Regional Gallery.
29 Learn how to enhance your mental and physical health as CORES hosts a Self-care and Mental Wellbeing workshop from 10am-12pm at Westbury Community Health Centre. Book via Humanitix.
30 It’s Festivale weekend! Join thousands of foodies at the annual three day celebration designed to showcase Tasmanian food, beverages and entertainment at City Park.
31 Step inside the real world of modelling with Tanya Ellis, Founder of the Tasmanian Fashion Festival for this four hour Model Workshop in Launceston. Book via Eventbrite.
February
1 Ock, aye! Head to Royal Park in Launceston for the Pipe Bands Tasmania Competition, the first of the year. It’s free to listen to the sounds of Scotland live in Launnie. From 10am.
2 Support your favourite Tasmanian cellar doors and visit one this month – wine, distilleries, breweries, whatever your favourite drop.
4 Men can enjoy some good book chat at the Tough Guy Book Club, the Launceston Chapter, at the Cock ‘n’ Bull British Pub in Launceston. 7pm. Head to www.toughguybookclub.com for the latest book.
5 Party in the Paddock music festival starts today with a huge line up (Temper Trap, The Veronicas, Ocean Alley and tonnes more).
6 The original four stars of the hit musical Jersey Boys reunite for Jersey Forever tonight at the Burnie Arts Town Hall 8pm-9:30pm.
7 Cheer on Tassie local Dan Booker in the Red Bull Hardline which kicks off today, with the world’s best downhill mountain bikers taking on the gravity defying Maydena course.
8 The Launceston Horticultural Society’s Seasonal Flower Show is on at the Evandale War Memorial Hall 2-4pm today (and on the 7th).
MORE AROUND THE ISLAND
10 JanuaryAaargh, me hearties! Celebrate Pirates Bay Day at Eaglehawk Neck Hall today. Pirates Bay was named after six convicts absconded in the schooner Seaflower in 1822. Enjoy the Pirates Market from 9.30am-12.30pm, then kick on at the Pirates Party from 5.30pm- 10.30pm. There’s live music, food, a licensed bar for salty seadogs and prizes. All pirates welcome! Head to www.eaglehawkneck.org for more info.
16-18 January
This is the 36th year of the boutique Tamar Valley Folk Festival, featuring loads of Tasmanian and mainland artists. The three day event of Music, song, dance and poetry offers concerts, themed concerts, workshops, a Saturday morning market and much more. The festival is a community based, not-for-profit event completely run by volunteers. The welcome session on the 16th kicks off at the Pier Hotel at 3pm. tamarvalleyfolkfestival.com for more.
31 January
Developed by QVMAG, ArtRage is Tasmania’s premier student art exhibition. This annual curated exhibition showcases the creativity and talent of Year 11 and 12 art students from across the state. Since its launch in 1994, this exhibition continues to provide an important platform for students studying art as part of their Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE), while supporting and celebrating the creativity and talent of budding artists state-wide. Opens 31 January until 3 May at the Imveresk site, 2016. Free entry.
